Flash Pleco (L204)

Panaqolus albivermis

Flash Pleco (L204) (Panaqolus albivermis) — Intermediate care, Peaceful, under Catfish & Cory. Minimum tank in the app: 40 US gal min; aim for 77–86°F and pH 6.5–7.5. Details below match the app.

Flash Pleco (L204) (Panaqolus albivermis) in a planted freshwater aquarium
Care levelIntermediate
TemperamentPeaceful
Min tank size40 US gal min
pH range6.5–7.5
Temperature77–86°F
Max size4.7 in (12.0 cm)
Captive lifespan8–12 years
SchoolingNo

Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.

Natural distribution

South America

  • South America

Regional colours match the stocking calculator’s origin map.

Flash Pleco (L204) Tank Setup

Plan for at least 40 US gal min of water—that is the minimum in our database for a workable setup, not a challenge to crowd fish. Aim to hold 77–86°F and pH 6.5–7.5 without daily drama. These fish use the Bottom zone most, so put wood, plants, or open water there accordingly.

What Do Flash Plecos Eat?

We record diet as Herbivore/Detritivore. Offer a few food types that match—dry, frozen, or gel—and swap now and then. One flake every day for a year is how dull color and gut trouble creep in.

Flash Pleco (L204) Tank Mates

Temperament in the data: Peaceful. Wood-rasping pleco; requires driftwood in tank. Males guard territories against other plecos. Plug your full stock list into the stocking calculator—single-species compatibility scores are hints, not a whole-tank verdict.

Are Flash Plecos Good for Beginners?

We rate this as intermediate. Budget time for testing, maintenance, and watching behaviour if the water looks fine but the fish do not. If this would be your very first tank, start with something more forgiving and come back to this one.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.

Log tests and reminders in App-aquatic—free, same data you see here.